Air pump and alarm unit



1941- H. N. RIDER 2251 423 AIR PUMP AND ALARM UNIT Filed Aug. 10, 19402.Sheets-Sheet 1 Illll 1' r i i I 9 I I I I I I I} I I I I I a r p I I 1I p I /7 1 w 52 Fi Zmnentor HARRY nnw n;

I l I I Qttome g Patented Aug. 5, i941 h i riil il LZSlAZii AER PURE?AND ALARIW UNIT Harry N. Rider, Youngstown, Ohio, assignor to AutomaticSprinkler Company of America,

Youngstown,

lio, a corporation or Delaware 4 Claims.

The principal object of this invention is the provision of a waterpowered air pump which will, when used in connection with a sprinklersystem, serve to maintain suitable air pressure in the piping of thesprinkler system, or any system of air thermostats that might be used inconnection therewith, as is desirable either for supervisory purposes orfor holding closed either a mechanical or difierential type controlvalve of the system.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a water poweredair pump which will automatically maintain the air pressure in thepiping of a sprinkler system between predeter mined maximum and minimumpressures.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a water poweredair pump incorporating means for maintaining a suitable air pressure inthe piping of a sprinkler system during the intervals between periodicwater powered operation of the pump.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a pressuresensitive alarm unit which will, upon a given loss of pressure in thepiping of a sprinkler system to which the same may be attached, serve toopen a water valve and thus permit the energization of a water motoralarm or serve to close a switch of an electric alarm.

The water powered air pump and alarm unit is so constructed that eitherone or both of its operations may be utilized when connected with thepiping of a sprinkler system as pressure responsive valves incorporatedtherein are duplicates, one controlling the introduction of water intothe air pump portion of the device and the other controlling an alarmwater valve positioned in a supply line connected with an alarm.

With the foregoing and other objects in view which will appear as thedescription proceeds, the invention resides in the combination andarrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafterdescribed and claimed, it being understood that chan es in the preciseembodiment of the invention herein disclosed, can be made within thescope of what is claimed without departing from. the spirit of theinvention.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of the water powered air pump and alarmunit with parts broken away.

Figure 2 is a cross sectional view taken on lines 22 of Figure 1.

By referring to the drawings and Figure 1 in particular it will be seenthat the pump and alarm unit comprises a body member it on either sideof which there are positioned mechanism enclosing housings ii and i2respectively which in turn are secured to the body member Ill by meansof bolts 53 functioning through openings in the flanges M and is formedon the housings H and it. The housings ii and i2 are positioned overlarge openings in the body member Ill. Positioned in these largeopenings are pressure responsive valve operative mechanisms one of whichis shown in detail in Figure 2 in the right hand portion thereof.

Iiy referring again to l of the drawings it will be observed "rat thebottom of the body member it is provided with an opening in which ispositioned a water leg it which is provided at its lower extremity witha cap H which in turn is provided with a plugged opening l8. Positionedvertically through the body member Ill and extending downwardly withinthe water leg l8 there is a secondary tubular water leg l9 whichterminates short of the bottom of the water leg 58 and, as may be seenby referring to the uppermost portion of the illustration in Figure 1,

emerges through an opening in the top of the k body member it and isprovided with an L 20 which forms an overflow passage for water risingupwardly through the secondary water leg I9. It is obvious that thedelivery orifice of the L 20 may be connected to suitable piping leadingto a suitable drain.

In order that water and may be introduced into the body member it inorder that the air pump action may take place, a jet pump chamber 2! isaffixed by means of bolts 22 to one side of the body member it as may beseen in Figure 1, and by referring to Figure 2 and to the right handportion thereof wherein a cross sectional detailed view of the jet pumpis shown it will be seen that water entering by way of an orifice 23 isdirected, at such times as a water control valve 24 is open, through ajet 2E and into a Venturi jet pump 26 by which action it causes aquantity of air to be delivered therewith into the body member iii ofthe pump by way of an upwardly extending communication channel 2i whichin turn forms a part of the jet pump housing 2i and is bolted to thebody member it by bolts 22. Air is introduced into the Venturi jet pumpthrough an orifice 28 in the bottom of the jet pump chamber 2i. It willthus be observed that when the orifice 23 is connected to a suitablewater supply source and the valve 24 is open, the resultant action ofthe water passing into the Venturi jet pump will be the introduction ofa substantial quantity of air into the body member it along with thewater. The water introduced will flow downwardly through the water leg I6 which communicates with the bottom portion of the body member II] andsubsequently rise within the secondary water leg I9 to the uppermost endthereof of which is substantially above the body member It from which itwill be discharged.

In order that the air introduced into the body member III may beretained so that a workable air pressure may be built up in the pipingof a sprinkler system associated therewith by way of an opening 29,diaphragms 39 each of which carries a centrally positioned piston likestructure 3| are positioned in the large openings between the bodymember Ill and the housings II and I2, the outer extremities of each ofthe diaphragms 30 being securely positioned between flange portions ofthe body member If] and the flanges I4 and I5 of the housings I I andI2. Thus air introduced into the body member I 0 is restricted theretoby the flexible diaphragms 3B and their piston like structures 3| whichform a flexible water and air tight seal.

It will thus be observed that when, due to the continuous operation ofthe Venturi jet pump, a satisfactory air pressure has been built upwithin the body member ID of the pump and any associated piping of asprinkler system, and any system of air thermostats that may be used inconnection therewith, the normal tendency of the diaphragm will be tomove outwardly into the adjacent housing and in order that this movementmay be suitably utilized to control the introduction of water into theVenturi jet pump, means has been associated with the diaphragm 3i] andthe water control valve 2d for either opening or closing the valve 24 inaccordance with the position of the diaphragm 3t and its piston likestructure 3| which in turn is adjustably opposed by a coil spring 32'with respect to a tubular adjustment member 33 which is threadablypositioned in a threaded opening in the housing I2. The tubularadjustment member 33, threadably positioned in the opening in thehousing I2, permits the tension on the spring 32 to be varied so thatany desirable air pressure may be maintained within the body member IEIn order that the movement of the piston like structure 3| carried onthe diaphragm 38 will result in movement of the water control valve 2d,a rod 34 is afiixed in an opening formed in a centrally located boss 35on the piston like structure 3!, and extends outwardly therefrom andterminates in a pivot structure 36 connected to an end of a secondaryrod 37 which engages a part of the water control valve 24 by reason ofan end thereof functioning within a suitable opening in the watercontrol valve 2 3. The rod 31 is pivoted to an adjacent portion of thejet pump chamber ZI by a pivot 38. Immediately surrounding the rod 31and the pivot 38 and forming a flexible water tight seal there is adiaphragm gland 39 which is positioned between a bracket I locatedwithin the housing I 2 and a portion of the jet pump chamber 2| so thatthe rod 37 passes therethrough in a movable manner.

In order that the action of the water control valve 24 may be controlledand adjusted with respect to the air pressure built up within the bodymember It by the pump action, spring tensioned adjustment means havebeen provided to limit the movement of the rod 34, which is moved by thediaphragm 3E and its piston like structure 3!, and comprises a pair ofroller carrying arms II pivoted at 42 to a bracket 43 which is in turnafiixed tothe housing I2. The rollers carried on the roller arms 4Iengage the rod 34 and, as

the rod 34 is provided with an irregular surface, tension brought tobear between the opposite ends of the roller arms M by means of anadjustably mounted spring 44 effectively controls the movement of therod 34 until a desirable pressure against the diaphragm 30 has beenestablished. The spring 44 is adjusted with respect to the roller armsII by means of an adjustment screw 45.

It will thus be observed that at such times as the air within the bodymember Ill reaches a predetermined pressure the diaphragm 30 and thepiston like structure 3I will suificiently compress the spring 32, toenable the rods 34 and 31 to close the water control valve 24, and thatwhen such action has taken place the water which has been overflowingthrough the L 28 on the upper end of the secondary water leg I9 will, asthe air pressure within the body member Ii) of the pump diminishes, dropwithin the secondary water leg I9 in direct relation thereto and thusserve to maintain the air pressure within the body member as the columnof water rises in the water leg I6. This action continues until thewater within the secondary water leg I9 has dropped to a level where itcan no longer effectively move the column of water upwardly within thewater leg IB. From this point on diminishing air pressure within thebody member Ill, as may be occasioned by leakage in the sprinklersystem, results in the spring 32 moving the diaphragm 30 and the pistonlike structure 3i into the body member ID and thus effectively openingthe water control valve 24 which completes the cycle of operation. Itwill thus be seen that the action of this water powered air pump isentirely automatic and that due to the dual water leg construction theair pressure developed by the pump is maintained satisfactorily duringthe intervals between the actual pumping periods.

In order that an alarm may be given upon the loss of supervisory air inthe sprinkler system, a duplicate mechanical assembly comprising adiaphragm and the piston like structure supported thereby is positionedon the opposite side of the body member I9 and within the housing II sothat upon the continuous rapid reduction of air pressure within the bodymember II) the duplicate diaphragm and associated mechanism serves toopen an alarm water valve 46 which is positioned in a supply linenormally supplying a water motor alarm or communicating with anelectrical alarm switch, the outlet to the alarm mechanism beingindicated by the numeral ll. The alarm water valve 46 is controlled byand connected to a diaphragm assembly exactly the same as thatheretofore described in connection with the water control valve 26 whichcontrols the jet pump assembly and for the purposes of simplicity hasnot been illustrated in the drawings. Suitable rods comparable in exactdetail to the mechanism heretofore described connect the diaphragm withthe alarm water valve 46 and are indicated in the drawings by thenumeral-s 5S and 49, the rod 49 being pivoted at a point 50 and passingthrough a flexible diaphragm gland 5I similar in all respects to theconstruction heretofore described. The alarm water valve assembly is,like the jet pump chamber assembly 2|, bolted to the body member IE! bymeans of bolts 52.

It will be obvious that in the event that a pumping action only isdesired the device may be constructed so as to incorporate only the jetpump and afliliated controlling portions of the pump and other meanswould be utilized for the energizing of an alarm to indicate the loss ofsupervisory air pressure from the sprinkler system to which the pump wasaffixed. By the same token it may be found desirable to con struct thedevice so as to include only the alarm valve portion thereof which wouldbe utilized in connection with a sprinkler system, the air pressure inwhich was supplied and maintained by other means. It is thus evidentthat changes in the precise structure as shown and described herein arenot only possible but desirable. In operation the alarm portion of thedevice is adjusted so that the alarm water valve it opens at such timesas the air pressure in the body member ID and associated piping of asprinkler system falls and continues to fall until a predetermined pointhas been reached.

What I claim is:

I 1. In a water actuated air pump having a hollow body member, anopening in the said hollow body member, a water actuated air injector incommunication with the said hollow body member, a water valve associatedwith the said injector, pressure responsive means responsive to eitheran increase or decrease of pressure within the said hollow body memberfor controlling the admission of water to the said water actuated airinjector, said mean-s comprising a sleeve positioned in the said openingand extending inwardly therefrom, a piston telescopically engaging saidsleeve, an annular flexible member affixed to the said piston and to thesaid hollow body member so as to form a water tight seal therebetween,levers connecting the said piston and the said water valve and meansassociated with the said levers for limiting the movement thereof to asnap like action at such time as air within the hollow body memberreaches a predetermined pressure as determined by the said limitingmeans, and means including a vertically positioned water column formingan air seal for conducting the water away from the said body member.

2. In a water actuated air pump having a hollow body member, an openingin the said hollow body member, a water actuated air injector incommunication with the said hollow body member, a water valveassociated. with the said injector, pressure responsive means responsiveto either an increase or decrease of pressure within the said hollowbody member for controlling the admission of water to the said wateractuated air injector, said means comprising a sleeve adjustablypositioned in the said opening and extending inwardly therefrom, apiston telescopically engaging said sleeve, a spring positioned betweenthe said sleeve and the said piston, an annular flexible member affixedto the said piston and to the said hollow body member so as to form awater tight seal therebetween, levers connecting the said piston and thesaid water valve and means associated with the said levers for limitingthe movement thereof to a snap like action at such time as air withinthe hollow body member reaches a predetermined pressure as determined bythe said spring, and means including a vertically positioned watercolumn forming an air seal for conducting the water away from the saidbody member.

3. In a water actuated air pump having a hollow body member, an openingin the said hollow body member, a water actuated air injector incommunication with the said hollow body member, a water valve associatedwith the said injector, pressure responsive means responsive to eitheran increase or decrease of pressure within the said hollow body memberfor controlling the admission of water to the said water actuated airinjector, said means comprising a sleeve positioned in the said openingand extending inwardly therefrom, a piston telescopically engaging saidsleeve, an annular flexible member aflixed to the said piston and to thesaid hollow body member so as to form a water tight seal therebetween,levers connecting the said piston and the said water valve, one of thesaid levers having an irregular surface, and means associated with thesaid irregular surfaced lever for limiting the movement thereof to asnap like action at such time as air within the hollow body memberreaches a predetermined pressure, said means comprising a pair of springpressed rollers engaging the said irregular surfaced lever, the saidirregular surfaced lever adapted to move between the said rollers, andmeans including a vertically positioned water column forming an air sealfor conducting the water away from the said body member.

4. In a water actuated air pump having a hollow body member, an openingin the said hollow body member, a water actuated air injecrtor incommunication with the said hollow body member, a water valve associatedwith the said injector, pressure responsive means responsive to eitheran increase or decrease of pressure within the said hollow body memberfor controlling the admission of water to the said water actuated airinjector, said means comprising a sleeve adjustably positioned in thesaid opening and extending inwardly therefrom, a piston telescopicallyengaging said sleeve, a spring positioned between the said sleeve andthe said piston, an annular flexible member aflixed to the said pistonand to the said hollow body member so as to form a water tight sealtherebetween, levers connecting the said piston and the said watervalve, one of said levers having an irregular surface, and meansassociated with the said irregular surfaced lever for limiting themovement thereof, and the water valve, to a snap like action at suchtime as air within the hollow body member reaches a predeterminedpressure as determined by the said adjustably mounted spring, said meanscomprising a pair of spring pressed rollers engaging the said irregularsurfaced lever, the said irregular surfaced lever adapted to movebetween the said rollers, and means including a vertically positionedwater column forming an air seal for conducting the water away from thesaid body member.

HARRY N. RIDER.

